The Zero Code (Max Mars Book 3) Page 15
Max searched the Robo-Dynamics servers for incriminating evidence. She found all of the technical plans, internal memos, and surveillance footage. Video feeds from every militarized robot had been recorded to the servers. The data would have been used to evaluate performance and optimize efficiency, but now it was going to be used to take down the largest technology company in the Federation, along with everyone who collaborated with them. She uploaded the files to her contact at the FCIS. This was going to keep Dylan busy for the next several months.
When she was done, Max pushed away from the desk and strolled to the broken window. She peered out over the city and watched as people returned to the streets. The inevitable chaos ensued, due to the lack of law enforcement. The police had been the first target of the militarized robots.
She had more than enough evidence to exonerate Winston. It allowed Floyd Kramer to get him released with relative ease. Max picked up Felix, then greeted Winston with a bright smile outside at the police station.
“That was an absolutely dreadful experience,” Winston said. “I don’t recommend it.” He paused for a moment, looking visibly shaken. “I didn’t kill anyone, did I?”
Max flashed a reassuring smile. “No.”
If Winston had lungs, he would have sighed with relief. “I was so worried about that. I still have no memory of the event.”
“Were you affected by the uplink transmission?”
“No.” He had a quizzical look on his face. “Perhaps when the FCIS refurbished me on Orion Station my components were altered, eliminating my susceptibility?”
“Or maybe you’re just stubborn?”
Winston grinned. He liked that possibility.
“Do you like my prison tattoo?” Winston said, displaying his elbow joint. It was an intricate spiderweb. “It was done with permanent marker. But it's already starting to wear off.” Winston frowned. “Does it make me look more intimidating? I am an ex-con, after all."
Max rolled her eyes. Winston was anything but intimidating.
Felix Meowed.
Winston’s eyes glimmered. “Who is this?”
“Winston, meet Felix. Felix, meet Winston.”
“I’ve always wanted a cat.”
Max handed the blue kitty over.
Winston took Felix and delicately stroked his plush fur. “Can we keep him?”
“It looks that way."
Winston smiled.
Felix seemed to be pleased with the added attention from Winston.
“Oh by the way,” Winston said. “I know where to find Silas Rage.”
Max’s eyes perked up.
“I’m connected to the underworld now,” he boasted. “My cellmate was a former associate of his.”
“So, where is he?”
“Information isn’t free.”
Max sighed with exasperation. She decided she would indulge the robot. ”What do you want?"
“Can we go back to Pinnacle Park and ride the roller coasters?”
“I suppose.”
Winston smiled.
“Come on. Let’s get off this rock.”
It was something they both could agree on. The galaxy was safe, for now. And Max could continue her search for Silas Rage.
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Tripp Ellis Catalogue
MAX MARS
The Orion Conspiracy
Blade of Vengeance
THE GALACTIC WARS SERIES
Starship Scorpion
Starship Desolation
Starship Revenant
Starship Guardian
Starship Valor
Starship Insurgent
Starship Exodus
THE TARVAAX WAR SERIES
Pursuit of Valor
Search for Honor
AUTHOR’S NOTE: HURRICANE HARVEY
And I thought I had a water problem before Harvey…
This was definitely the most devastating storm to ever hit Texas. Trapped in between two high-pressure zones, the storm stalled over Houston, dropping unprecedented amounts of rain. It was unrelenting.
The houses in my area have never flooded. We are outside of the 500 year floodplain. Yet, in recent years, a heavy shower in the afternoon would fill the streets. It seems with each hard rain, the water line moves higher and higher. The city has expanded at a blistering pace. Lush green fields once filled with cow patties have been paved over and developed. Overdeveloped. Drainage in the city has been ignored for quite some time. The reservoirs were built in the 40s to accommodate a city not even a quarter of its current size. Recommendations were made in 1996 to overhaul the drainage system, warning of a catastrophic failure. Yet those warnings went unheeded.
During the height of the rain, 95% of the city streets were underwater. But for some people, the worst of it came when the Corps of Engineers released water from the reservoirs, flooding the areas the dams had always protected.
Homes that had always stayed bone dry took on 8 feet of water. 2 1/2 weeks later, they are still inundated with water that contains toxic chemicals and bacteria. Wastewater treatment plants still remain underwater, contaminating the area. Several refineries and Superfund sites were flooded, releasing undesirable toxins into the environment. The water even threatened to cut off Interstate 10, which would have left the city isolated without the ability to resupply. An Aqua-dam, nearly a mile long, was deployed to keep the highway open. As I write this, it’s still difficult to find premium gas in the city.
The property damage to the city is unfathomable, and I’m sure most of the residents are suffering from some type of post traumatic stress. Sleeplessness, irritability, and exhaustion are common complaints among Houstonians.
All over the city, residents are ripping out sheet rock, insulation, and carpet, trying to salvage what they can. Many people lost everything. And most didn’t carry flood insurance.
It’s hard to say what’s going to happen to certain parts of the city long-term. Many people will have to file bankruptcy and walk away from their mortgages. Homes that had standing water for more than two weeks will likely have to be torn down as their structural integrity is compromised. Entire neighborhoods will either be rebuilt, or re-developed. Some areas will bounce back, and some wont. The landscape may be very different in a few years.
As the storm headed our way, I made the decision to evacuate early. The area would later be under a voluntary evacuation, then a mandatory one. I stayed in a hotel, glued to the television, trying to get some work done when I could, but mostly worried about how bad it was going to get. The situation seemed to get more dire as the days went on. And just about the time we seemed out of the woods, the real flooding began.
I am very fortunate. I had a home to come back to, albeit not quite as dry as I left it. After 12 days in a hotel, I was more than ready to get back into my own bed. But there was an eerie feeling to the area, like after an earthquake when it seems that even the animals are waiting for the other shoe to drop. Most of the homes were empty. The buzz of generators filled the air. There was a constant patter of rotor blades overhead as Blackhawks and Hueys circled. State troopers and National Guard rolled through the streets. Citizens with bass boats headed into submerged neighborhoods to rescue people still stranded. Others tried to return to their homes to salvage personal items. My neighborhood setup a citizens patrol to combat looters (which had been a problem in the neighboring subdivision.
The one positive aspect of this tragedy w
as that the city came together and helped one another. It was uplifting to see. People as far away as Maine came to help. Friends and strangers showed up at my door and helped pull out carpet and drywall and move damaged furniture. I am eternally grateful for the support this city has received.
Many people don’t have a job to go back to. I am thankful for readers like you who make it possible for me to keep writing. This is my job and I love it. I’ve said this before, but writing really has changed my life. It allowed me to get quality healthcare, it has allowed me to stretch my creativity, and it will allow me to repair the damage from Harvey. Thank you.
I’m sure I will incorporate aspects of this tragedy in future novels. It has been a crazy few weeks. Ones that I will never forget.
Wishing you the best,
Tripp
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I'm just a geek who loves sci-fi and horror. I was abducted by aliens and forced to travel the galaxy as the official biographer of an evil galactic ruler. This is where I learned to hone my craft. Fortunately, I escaped and made my way back to Earth, and now I write about my adventures. I hope you enjoy!
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Thank You!
Max Mars
The Galactic Wars Series
The Tarvaax War Series
Author’s Note: Hurricane Harvey
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